Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller

ABSTRACT

A method of gaming comprising: distributing a plurality of image parts of an image across a set of display positions for display to a player; activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional application which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/030,119 filedFeb. 20, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of gaming, a gaming system anda game controller.

Gaming systems are known comprising a game controller arranged torandomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols andto determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayedsymbols. Such gaming systems may commonly be implemented as a steppermachine provided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols ofthe set, or a video machine with selected symbols are displayed invirtual reels on a video display.

Other gaming systems are known to display symbols as a set of cardssimulating a card game of poker.

Added features are known where appearance of special symbols or patternssignify the activation of a bonus award such as a free game or modifiedgame rules.

While such added features provide users with enjoyment, there is a needfor alternative gaming systems with different modes for activating bonusawards to add to player excitement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof gaming comprising:

distributing a plurality of image parts of an image across a set ofdisplay positions for display to a player;

activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across thedisplay positions so as to form the image;

selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the displaypositions; and

determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and thebonus award.

In one embodiment the display positions are for displaying cards in agame round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols. In anembodiment the image parts are displayed on the same face as thesymbols, and in another embodiment the image parts are displayed on aback face of the cards.

In another embodiment the display positions correspond to respectiveones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side.

In one embodiment the plurality of image parts comprise a left imagepart, a centre image part and a right image part.

In one embodiment the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or amodification of normal operation of a game round.

In one embodiment the image is a design, pattern or picture. In anotherembodiment the image is a animated image.

In one embodiment the step of activating the bonus award occurs only ifthe image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a gamingsystem comprising:

a display for symbols to be displayed in a set of display positions to aplayer;

an image part distributor for distributing a plurality of image parts ofan image across the set of display positions;

a bonus award controller for activating a bonus award if the image partsare arranged across the display positions so as to form the image;

a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display to theplayer in the display positions; and

an outcome generator for determining a game round outcome based on theselected symbols and the bonus award.

In one embodiment the display positions are for displaying cards in agame round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols. In anembodiment the image parts are displayed on the same face as thesymbols. In another embodiment the image part distributor distributesthe image parts on a back face of the cards.

In another embodiment the display positions correspond to respectiveones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side.

In one embodiment the plurality of image parts comprise a left imagepart, a centre image part and a right image part.

In one embodiment the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or amodification of normal operation of a game round.

In one embodiment the image is a design, pattern or picture. In anotherembodiment the image is a animated image.

In one embodiment the bonus award controller is arranged to activate thebonus award only if the image parts occupy particular ones of thedisplay positions.

In one embodiment, the gaming system comprises a player instructionmechanism operable by the player to place a wager.

In one embodiment, the image part distributor, the bonus awardcontroller, the symbol selector, and the outcome generator are providedby a game controller constituted, at least in part, by a processorexecuting program code stored in a memory.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a gamecontroller comprising:

an image part distributor for distributing a plurality of image parts ofan image on a display across a set of display positions;

a bonus award controller for activating a bonus award if the image partsare arranged across the display positions so as to form the image;

a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display to theplayer in the display positions; and

an outcome generator for determining a game round outcome based on theselected symbols and the bonus award.

In one embodiment the display positions are for displaying cards in agame round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols. In anembodiment the image parts are displayed on the same face as thesymbols. In another embodiment the image part distributor distributesthe image parts on a back face of the cards.

In another embodiment the display positions correspond to respectiveones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side.

In one embodiment the plurality of image parts comprise a left imagepart, a centre image part and a right image part.

In one embodiment the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or amodification of normal operation of a game round.

In one embodiment the image is a design, pattern or picture. In anotherembodiment the image is a animated image.

In one embodiment the bonus award controller is arranged to activate thebonus award only if the image parts occupy particular ones of thedisplay positions.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof gaming comprising:

selecting a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of displaypositions arranged in an array on a display, the symbols being selectedfrom a set of symbols each of which has a primary image element and atleast some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary imageelement being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more largerimages;

performing a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on aprize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and

performing a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based onwhether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary imageelements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a gamecontroller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to:

select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of displaypositions arranged in an array on a display, the symbols being selectedfrom a set of symbols each of which has a primary image element and atleast some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary imageelement being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more largerimages;

perform a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on aprize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and

perform a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based onwhether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary imageelements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a gamingsystem comprising:

a display for displaying symbols at a plurality of display positionsarranged in an array;

a memory storing a set of symbols each of which has a primary imageelement and at least some of which have a secondary image element, eachsecondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of oneor more larger images; and

a game controller arranged to:

select a plurality of symbols from the symbol set for display atrespective ones of the plurality of display positions;

perform a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on aprize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and

perform a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based onwhether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary imageelements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is providedcomputer program code when executed by a computer causes the computer toimplement any of the embodiments of the method of gaming of theinvention.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided acomputer readable medium comprising the program code of the invention.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is provided a datasignal comprising the computer program code of the invention.

In a tenth aspect, the invention extends to transmitting the aboveprogram code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gamingmachine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system;

FIG. 6 is a further block diagram of the gaming system;

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for the method of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show the displays of Example 1; and

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C shows displays of Example 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a gamecontroller arranged to implement a game wherein an image may appear inparts in display positions to activate a bonus award if the partscoincide to make up the image.

The gaming system may take a number of different forms. In a first form,a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most componentsrequired for implementing the game are present in a player operablegaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some ofthe components required for implementing the game are present in aplayer operable gaming machine and some of the components required forimplementing the game are located remotely relative to the gamingmachine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used whereinpart of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine andpart of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a“thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game isexecuted remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operablegaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaminginformation to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine isnetworked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gamingmachine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example,the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thickclient” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played,operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent topersons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system comprises several corecomponents. At the broadest level, the core components are a playerinterface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Theplayer interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between aplayer and the gaming system and for this purpose includes theinput/output components required for the player to enter instructionsand play the game.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment toembodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable aplayer to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, agame play mechanism 56 comprises one or more input devices that enable aplayer to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), and one ormore speakers 58.

The game controller 60 is in data communication with the playerinterface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the gameplay instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs gameplay outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions arestored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Hereinthe term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that canprocess game play instructions in accordance with game play rules andmay include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logicdevice or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. aPC) or a server.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 isillustrated in FIG. 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12having a display 14 on which are displayed representations of a game 16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coininput chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module (not shown)having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of readinga player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. Theplayer tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or anyother portable storage medium capable of being read by the readingdevice.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a video display unit,particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, forexample a video display unit, which may be of the same type as thedisplay 14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gamingmachine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG. 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 arestored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with theprocessor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include bothvolatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type ofmemory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheraldevices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/orthe peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memoryfor storing associated instructions and data for use with theinput/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random numbergenerator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference torandom numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a player interface 120 includesperipheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101comprise one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107, acard and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/orcoin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additionalhardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardwaremay be omitted as required for the specific implementation. For example,while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines toallow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any inputdevice that enables the player to input game play instructions may beused. For example, in some gaming machines a mechanical handle is usesto initiate a play of the game.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

FIG. 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which forexample may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arrangedin three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in FIG. 5, are connectedto the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operableinterface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on therequirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gamingmachines are illustrated in FIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gamingmachines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Forexample, the displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to displayrepresentations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202,and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional orinformational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of thegame played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as boththe game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, theycollectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloadingor access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, ifthe gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, aJackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions forthe Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all ofthe game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With thisembodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gamingmachine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game serverwhich will process them and return game play outcomes to the gamingmachine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machinescould be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides aplayer interface operable using standard computer input and outputcomponents.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration ofthe gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licensesrelating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is providedto allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devicesconnected to the network.

The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, otherlocal networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide areanetwork such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run arandom generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be provided torun different games or a single game server may run a plurality ofdifferent games as required by the terminals.

Further Detail of Gaming System

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to gaming systemsthat implement a game of draw poker. In one embodiment, the display 54initially shows five cards presented face down and the cards turned overto reveal the faces. The cards can be shown as being dealt face down. Inother embodiments, suitable, for example for single player games, thecards are shown as being dealt face up.

The game controller of one embodiment is shown in more detail in FIG. 6.The game controller 60 incorporates a processor 62 which implements asymbol selector 610, random number generator 650, image part distributor620, bonus award controller 625 and outcome generator 630 based onprogram code stored in memory 64. Memory 64 comprises game instructions644, symbol sets 641, image part data 642, prize data 645 and meter data646. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more ofthese components could be provided in other ways, for example by adedicated circuit.

In an example of a game to which the invention is applied, symbolselector 610 selects symbols from symbol set 642 to display in thedisplay positions on the display 54. In the embodiment, the game is agame of poker wherein when the symbols have been selected the displaypositions are occupied by five cards.

In an alternative embodiment, the display positions could correspond tospinning reels within a display window such that symbols displayed atthe display positions correspond to the stopped position of the reels.selection.

At some point in the game, which may in different embodiments be before,after or during the symbol selection, image part distributor 620distributes a plurality of image parts across the display positions,using the image part data 642 and random number generator 650. Bonusaward controller 625 assesses whether the image parts are arrangedacross the display positions so as to form the image, and if soactivates a bonus award, in some embodiments affecting the operation ofsymbol selector 610 for current or future games and outcome generator630. That is, depending on the embodiment, the bonus award may be, forexample a prize, a free game round, a modification of normal operationof a game round or other suitable award. The points in the process atwhich the image part distributor 620 distributes the symbols and atwhich the bonus award is evaluated are selected based on the desiredimpact of the bonus award on the game. For example, if the embodimentinvolves modifying operation of a game round, it will usually beappropriate to evaluate whether the bonus award should be activatedprior to displaying the card faces to the player and for example, byhaving the image parts on the back of the cards and deal them face down.In embodiments, where completing the image results in an additionalprize, the timing will not be as important, although in a draw pokerembodiment, the evaluation will typically occur before the draw stage ofthe game.

The outcome generator 630 calculates any prize associated with thecurrent game round depending on game instructions 644 and prize data 645and the status of bonus award controller 625—e.g. to also reflect anyprizes related to the completion of the image. The outcome generatorthen updates meter data 645, and displays any win on display 54 on theplayer interface 50.

Now referring to FIG. 7, a flow diagram for implementing the method ofan embodiment of the invention is shown.

At some time after the start of play the image part distributor 620distributes the image parts across the display positions in step 1201,and bonus award controller 625 determines in step 1202 whether the imageparts are arranged to form the image. If the answer is “yes”, in step1203 bonus award controller 625 activates the bonus award, which may bea free game or games, modified game rules, a prize or any other specialfeature. If the answer is “no”, the bonus award is not activated.

In step 1204 game play continues with the selection of symbols fordisplay and in step 1205 the game round outcome is determined from prizedata 645 and meter data 646 is updated.

In other embodiments, the method may be employed with multi-playerterminals of the type where a plurality of player interfaces aredistributed around the periphery of a table which may incorporate acentral display, for example, for displaying community cards. In such anembodiment, the game may be played by all players or only by players whomake an additional bet.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that card games otherthan draw poker may be employed, for example, Texas Hold'em or Studpoker.

In other embodiments, there may be more than one image which can becompleted.

In an alternative embodiment, rather than the image parts being selectedindependently of the symbols, the symbol set(s) stored in the memory maydefine symbols each having a primary image element (corresponding to theconventional card or spinning reel symbols) and some having have asecondary image element, each secondary image element being asub-component of a respective one of one or more larger images. The gamecontroller then selects symbols for display at an array of displaypositions on the display and conducts two evaluations. A first awardevaluation of the selected symbols being based on a prize table definingwinning combinations of primary image elements in the manner of aconventional prize table evaluation. A second award evaluation of theselected symbols being based on whether the selected symbols include aplurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of theone or more larger images. Depending on the embodiment, the second awardevaluation may modify or be additional to the first award evaluation.

Example 1

Now referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, an example of one embodiment ofthe method of the invention is shown.

In FIG. 8A an image is represented as comprising parts labeled L(“left”), C (“centre”) and R (“right”). The image is formed when thethree parts are in the juxtaposition shown in FIG. 8A. The image formedby the juxtaposition of the image parts may be a picture of arecognizable object such as an animal, or animated image such as a videoclip, or any other image for which it is possible to recognize itsformation in the correct juxtaposition.

In FIG. 8B is shown the result of operation of the image partdistributor on five display positions corresponding to cards 810 a to810 e in a game of draw poker. In this example, the image parts havebeen distributed on the back of the cards, before the draw of the cards.Since the image parts L, C and R appear across the display positions toas to create the image LCR, the bonus award is activated, and in thisexample the bonus award is that the next game is free.

In FIG. 8C another game round is shown. In this example the image partsare on the symbol carrying face of the cards. The image part distributor620 has distributed the image parts L, C and R into display positions810 d, 810 b and 910 e respectively. The image is not formed by thisjuxtaposition and so the bonus award is not activated.

After the distribution of the image parts, the draw part of the gameround of draw poker proceeds. For example, the player may choose todiscard the Jack 820 d and keep the pair of Aces 820 a,820 c and thepair of Tens 810 b,810 e in an attempt to build a full-house.

Example 2

Now referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, an example of another embodimentis shown applied to a game of the spinning reel type. In this example, agame is shown in progress in FIG. 9A where the reels have spun andsymbols already appear in the reel windows 820 a to 820 e. In FIG. 9B,the image part distributor then distributes the image parts across thedisplay positions. The C image part interacts with and obscures thesymbol in the display positions it occupies, whereas the L and R do not.The juxtaposition shown is a winning juxtaposition to activate the bonusaward, signifying in this example that the next game is free. Outcomegenerator 630 updates meter data 646 to record the free game. In FIG. 9Can example of a non-winning juxtaposition in a subsequent game round isshown.

It will be appreciated that the invention may be exercised so that theimage parts interact with the game symbols or not, as shown in example2, or so that the image parts appear at a different time to the gamesymbols, as shown on the back face of the cards as shown in example 1.It will also be appreciated that the image may have any number of partsand in the case of spinning reels, the image parts may be distributed intheir winning juxtaposition to occupy multiple rows and columns. It willfurther be appreciated that additional conditions on the activation ofthe bonus award may be imposed without departing from the scope of theinvention, such as a requirement that the image parts occupy particularones of the display positions, for example so as to align with theleft-most reel.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the method of theembodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could besupplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium,such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part ofmemory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from aserver).

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations maybe made to the invention without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

1. A method of gaming comprising: distributing a plurality of image parts of an image across a set of display positions for display to a player; activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award.
 2. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols.
 3. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 2 wherein the image parts are displayed on the same face as the symbols.
 4. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 2 wherein the image parts are displayed on a back face of the cards.
 5. A method of gaming a claimed in claim 1 wherein the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side and the symbols are symbols of the reels.
 6. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of image parts comprise a left image part, a centre image part and a right image part.
 7. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or a modification of normal operation of a game round.
 8. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image is a design, pattern or picture.
 9. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is an animated image.
 10. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of activating the bonus award occurs only if the image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions.
 11. A gaming system comprising: a display for symbols to be displayed in a set of display positions to a player; an image part distributor for distributing a plurality of image parts of an image across the set of display positions; a bonus award controller for activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and an outcome generator for determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award.
 12. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols.
 13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the image parts are displayed on the same face as the symbols.
 14. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the image part distributor distributes the image parts on a back face of the cards prior to the playing card symbols being revealed.
 15. A gaming system a claimed in claim 11 wherein the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side.
 16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the plurality of image parts comprise a left image part, a centre image part and a right image part.
 17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or a modification of normal operation of a game round.
 18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the image is a design, pattern or picture.
 19. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the image is an animated image.
 20. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the bonus award controller is arranged to activate the bonus award only if the image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions.
 21. A gaming system as claimed in claims 11 comprising a game play mechanism operable by the player to place a wager.
 22. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the image part distributor, the bonus award controller, the symbol selector, and the outcome generator are provided by a game controller constituted, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.
 23. A game controller comprising: an image part distributor for distributing a plurality of image parts of an image on a display across a set of display positions; a bonus award controller for activating a bonus award if the image parts are arranged across the display positions so as to form the image; a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display to the player in the display positions; and an outcome generator for determining a game round outcome based on the selected symbols and the bonus award.
 24. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the display positions are for displaying cards in a game round of poker and the symbols comprise playing card symbols.
 25. A game controller as claimed in claim 24 wherein the image parts are displayed on the same face as the symbols.
 26. A game controller as claimed in claim 24 wherein the image part distributor distributes the image parts on a back face of the cards.
 27. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the display positions correspond to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels set side by side.
 28. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the plurality of image parts comprise a left image part, a centre image part and a right image part.
 29. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the bonus award is a prize, a free game round or a modification of normal operation of a game round.
 30. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the image is a design, pattern or picture.
 31. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the image is an animated image.
 32. A game controller as claimed in claim 23 wherein the bonus award controller is arranged to activate the bonus award only if the image parts occupy particular ones of the display positions.
 33. A method of gaming comprising: selecting a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions arranged in an array on a display, the symbols being selected from a set of symbols each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more larger images; performing a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and performing a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.
 34. A game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions arranged in an array on a display, the symbols being selected from a set of symbols each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more larger images; perform a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and perform a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.
 35. A gaming system comprising: a display for displaying symbols at a plurality of display positions arranged in an array; a memory storing a set of symbols each of which has a primary image element and at least some of which have a secondary image element, each secondary image element being a sub-component of a respective one of one or more larger images; and a game controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols from the symbol set for display at respective ones of the plurality of display positions; perform a first award evaluation of the selected symbols based on a prize table defining winning combinations of primary image elements; and perform a second award evaluation of the selected symbols based on whether the selected symbols include a plurality of secondary image elements which complete one or more of the one or more larger images.
 36. Computer program code which when executed by a computer causes the computer to implement computer causes the computer to implement the method of gaming of any one of claims
 1. 37. A computer readable medium comprising the program code of claim
 36. 38. A data signal comprising the computer program code of claim
 36. 39. Transmitting the computer program code of claim
 36. 